ZealousGolfer.com

How come? Winning the Memorial - one of the PGA Tour's toughest and most prestigious events - isn't enough to get into the U.S. Open. Rose, who previously was not qualified to play this year, will not be appearing at Pebble Beach next week.

Rose competed at this week's final qualifier for one of the final spots in the U.S. Open field. He, along with young gun and fellow Memorial contender Rickie Fowler, came up short.

So why isn't the USGA going to open the doors to players who win tournaments within the month before the championship? David Fay, head of the USGA, made it clear to the Golf Channel that this type of thing is what the U.S. Open shoots for.

The fact that a few deserving players slip through the cracks in many years trades off with the Open's 'democratic' advantage. To the USGA, giving virtually all players an equal opportunity to fight for the top prize is at the heart of the championship.

I can understand that. "Special exemptions" are probably in conflict with giving all players an equal opportunity to play. That said, it seems a little ridiculous that the U.S. Open couldn't work it into the rules for the field to be set closer to the Open.